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YUDDHA KAND
Hanuman returns to Rama with Sita’s choodamani and a message from her asking Rama to make haste and rescue her. Rama and Lakshmana set out immediately with Sugriva and a mammoth army of vanaras and bears. Crossing the ocean they arrive at Ravana’s golden city of Lanka Both sides prepare for war and the stage is set for a terrible conflict which even the gods and sages are watching. Both armies are equipped with the best of generals and warriors, and the result is a war that is fought on many levels with each side losing thousands of its best soldiers Rama and Lakshmana are skilled in warfare and have been blessed by the sages with many divine weapons. Ravana, who is a celebrated scholar, a devotee of Shiva and a courageous warrior, is surrounded by his valiant sons and brothers. But he has two fatal flaws – those of arrogance and lust As the war progresses, Valmiki paints for us one of the grandest ‘epicscapes’ in world literature
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Published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 22, 2021
This book deals with incidents of battlefield and also it contains short notes of Uttara kand . I think ACK should have published separate Uttara kand book instead of giving short notes about Rama's Life after he becomes king and his death , which is one of the untouched topics.
This Ramayana series is different from Ramayana that we usually read and its for people who want to know more about Valmiki Ramayana.
You can give it a try if you are interested
This Ramayana series is different from Ramayana that we usually read and its for people who want to know more about Valmiki Ramayana.
You can give it a try if you are interested
August 25, 2019
I will split this review int a few categories:
1. This particular installment of the series: The grand war between Rama and Ravana begins signaling the beginning of the end. A good story in itself but not as gripping as its counterpart, the Mahabharata, whose denouement was simply nail-biting.
2. The entire series : A truly commendable effort. For those who are averse to reading the mythological epics, this makes for a great beginning at least. The script is based on Valmiki Ramayan translations as printed by Gita Press Gorakhpur. So if you think this is some kiddy version, think again. While this may not be a verse-by-verse prose intense version, the authenticity and details are definitely maintained.
3. The illustrations and script: Consistently brilliant. Kudos to the ACK team on the research, development, characterization, and the illustrations. Each page is a delight, bringing the characters alive and spicing up the narrative. On this one, the rating is a straight 5/5.
4. The story and the ethos behind it : For starters, as I have already declared, Ramayana is not as exciting as Mahabharata. If you leave that aside, you will find seemingly glaring contradictions like e.g. Why didn't Hanuman destroy Lanka on his first visit and just carry Sita away? Or better still, Why didn't Sita herself destroy Lanka and breeze out of there? Both were eminently capable of such a feat. But here, you will have to suspend some rationality as this is a mythological story. It is meant to inspire belief and the answers are rooted in faith, not logic. So if you don't bring that to the reading table, your experience will be as much as any skeptic's.
Overall, a great set of illustrated books and the best way to get initiated into the Hindu mythologies.
1. This particular installment of the series: The grand war between Rama and Ravana begins signaling the beginning of the end. A good story in itself but not as gripping as its counterpart, the Mahabharata, whose denouement was simply nail-biting.
2. The entire series : A truly commendable effort. For those who are averse to reading the mythological epics, this makes for a great beginning at least. The script is based on Valmiki Ramayan translations as printed by Gita Press Gorakhpur. So if you think this is some kiddy version, think again. While this may not be a verse-by-verse prose intense version, the authenticity and details are definitely maintained.
3. The illustrations and script: Consistently brilliant. Kudos to the ACK team on the research, development, characterization, and the illustrations. Each page is a delight, bringing the characters alive and spicing up the narrative. On this one, the rating is a straight 5/5.
4. The story and the ethos behind it : For starters, as I have already declared, Ramayana is not as exciting as Mahabharata. If you leave that aside, you will find seemingly glaring contradictions like e.g. Why didn't Hanuman destroy Lanka on his first visit and just carry Sita away? Or better still, Why didn't Sita herself destroy Lanka and breeze out of there? Both were eminently capable of such a feat. But here, you will have to suspend some rationality as this is a mythological story. It is meant to inspire belief and the answers are rooted in faith, not logic. So if you don't bring that to the reading table, your experience will be as much as any skeptic's.
Overall, a great set of illustrated books and the best way to get initiated into the Hindu mythologies.
July 11, 2019
The epic battle commences. What follow is a close-up view of the many individual and collective skirmishes between the forces of good and evil. As matters draw to a finale, we are also given an uncomfortable glimpse into Sita’s Agni-Pariksha (an event which always saddens me).
This Kand ends with Ram, Sita and Lakshmana’s return to Ayodhya, the long-awaited reunion with Bharata, Rama’s eventual coronation and a quick glimpse into the long and glorious era of Ram Rajya.
We also get a written encapsulation of the Uttara Kand which follows all the melancholic events post the happy ending.
This Kand ends with Ram, Sita and Lakshmana’s return to Ayodhya, the long-awaited reunion with Bharata, Rama’s eventual coronation and a quick glimpse into the long and glorious era of Ram Rajya.
We also get a written encapsulation of the Uttara Kand which follows all the melancholic events post the happy ending.
May 17, 2020
My six-word memoir for the whole series: eternal, moving, illustrated tale well retold.
I experienced a lot of happiness in reading this illustrated version of Valmiki's Ramayan. All the details are covered. Some of the lesser know facts are also given. I especially enjoyed the Sundara Kand a lot. Illustrations are breathtaking. Definitely a collector's edition 🙏
I experienced a lot of happiness in reading this illustrated version of Valmiki's Ramayan. All the details are covered. Some of the lesser know facts are also given. I especially enjoyed the Sundara Kand a lot. Illustrations are breathtaking. Definitely a collector's edition 🙏
August 30, 2020
Depicting the epic conclusion to the Ramayana- Yuddha Kand- is the story of Rama's victory over Ravana. Tense, gripping, and full of contradictions, this book just sails through.
The book also contains a brief encapsulation of the seventh part, the Uttara Kand, which depicts the events after the war with Ravana, and the coronation of Rama.
Thank you ACK for recreating this epic saga, in the form of such beautiful books!
The book also contains a brief encapsulation of the seventh part, the Uttara Kand, which depicts the events after the war with Ravana, and the coronation of Rama.
Thank you ACK for recreating this epic saga, in the form of such beautiful books!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews